10 Downing Street: Mr Phil Flynn

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 1 December (WA 57) concerning the lack of any record of visits by Mr Flynn to Number 10 Downing Street in the past five years, whether Mr Flynn has made any visits which were not recorded.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Not as far as the Prime Minister's Office is aware.

Avian Flu

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, following the outbreak of avian flu in a quarantine centre in Essex, all other quarantine centres have subsequently been inspected.

Lord Bach: All quarantine premises are subject to an annual approval inspection by the State Veterinary Service (SVS).
	Following the discovery of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a quarantine centre in Essex, Defra required all quarantine premises holding imported captive birds to be inspected by a veterinary officer from the State Veterinary Service (SVS).

Avian Flu

The Duke of Montrose: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the statement by the Lord Bach on 17 November (Official Report, col. 1299), when they will receive the findings of the review chaired by Professor Nigel Dimmock into the quarantine procedures and arrangements for avian influenza.

Lord Bach: The report prepared by Professor Dimmock and his team was published on 15 December.

Cultural Heritage: Council of Europe Framework Convention

Baroness Hooper: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have signed the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage to Society, which was opened for signature in Faro, Portugal, on 27 October; and, if not, when they plan to sign and ratify this convention.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Her Majesty's Government have not signed the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage to Society which has so far been signed by six member states. The United Kingdom is currently considering the legal implications of this convention before taking a decision on signature and ratification. Until these deliberations are concluded, it would be premature to comment further.

Ethanol

Lord Campbell-Savours: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What support they are giving to research into, and development of, the use of ethanol as a fuel for motor cars.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Under the Department of Trade and Industry's technology programme and its predecessors there have been some projects on the production of the fuel and the environmental impacts of production.
	Current projects on production.
	Hyperthermophilic proteolytic fermentation to generate ethanol as a transport fuel, by British Leather Research, is investigating the production of ethanol from waste proteins and fats. Total value £186,000 grant £93,000
	Biofuel production from plant biomass derived sugars, by TMO Ltd, is investigating the production of ethanol from complex sugars using thermophillic bacteria. Total value £585,000 grant £234,000
	Final reports from past projects on environmental impacts:
	URN 03/836, Carbon and energy balances for a range of biofuels options. Sheffield Hallam University.
	URN 03/982 Technology Status review and carbon abatement potential of renewable transport fuels in the UK. The two reports commissioned by Defra which cover bioethanol:
	Liquid biofuels—prospects and potential impacts on UK agriculture, the farmed environment, landscape and rural economy Central Science Laboratory, 2002
	Liquid biofuels—industry support, cost of carbon savings and agricultural implications Central Science Laboratory, 2003
	As part of the sustainable arable LINK programme, Defra is co-funding with the Scottish Executive an industry-led project which has relevance for bioethanol fuel although it also covers other uses for cereals e.g. for animal feed, alcoholic drinks etc. The research could reduce the energy inputs required for producing feedstock, reduce the cost of the feedstock, and improve the efficiency of the fermentation process—potentially increasing the energy balance of bioethanol production and reducing the cost of bioethanol.
	LK0959—Genetic reduction of energy use and emissions of nitrogen in cereal production. Total value £2.5 million. Grant for biofuel aspect of the project £273,000.
	The Department for Transport has also supported research into the long-term prospects for significant use of biofuels in the transport sector (available at www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/futuretransport.shtml), and research into the emissions consequences of ethanol blends (available at www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft–roads/documents/Page/dft–roads–32579.hcsp).
	EPSRC has one grant that specifically mentions ethanol in this regard
	GR/T28560/01—Radical Kinetics for Combustion Applications, Dr P Seakins, University of Leeds, £867,663.80, started 20 June 2005.

Flight of the Earls: 400th Anniversary

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are taking steps to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Flight of the Earls in 2007.

Lord Rooker: The Government have no plans to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Flight of the Earls in 2007.

Food from Britain

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the outcome of the review launched in July 2003 of the quality and effectiveness of Food from Britain.

Lord Bach: The "light touch" efficiency and effectiveness review of Food from Britain (FFB) launched in July 2003 concluded that FFB was respected for its knowledge of the food and drink sector and of overseas markets and for its skills and professionalism in mounting promotional activities and events. The review also highlighted a number of areas where FFB could make more progress and produce better value for money. The areas for improvement were: the development of new key targets, particularly in relation to new exporters; a review of the international network and FFB's fast track membership scheme; and consideration of more appropriate performance measures. These recommendations were accepted by FFB and were implemented through an action plan agreed between Defra and FFB. A copy of the action plan is available from the administration manager at Food From Britain, 4th Floor, Manning House, 22 Carlisle Place, London SW1P 1JA or from info@foodfrombritain.com.

Food from Britain

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the annual grant that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs gives to Food from Britain.

Lord Bach: Food from Britain's grant-in-aid from Defra for the current financial year is £6.368 million.

Food from Britain

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs lay down criteria that the food and drink promoted by Food from Britain (FFB) should consist of produce grown in Britain; and, if not, whether the requirements regarding the food and drink promoted by the FFB are met by repackaged foreign produce.

Lord Bach: Defra has no such criteria. Food from Britain's statutory remit is to organise, develop, promote, encourage and co-ordinate the marketing of: agricultural and horticultural produce of the United Kingdom; fish, other than sea fish, and fish products made in the United Kingdom; and any other food produced or processed in the United Kingdom. "Processed" means having been subjected to any kind of process including packaging or bottling.

Food from Britain

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What percentage of the products promoted by Food from Britain are composed from primary ingredients that are grown or raised in Britain.

Lord Bach: Food from Britain provides support for exports of food and drink produced or processed only in the UK and for quality English regional food and drink. It is not required to, nor does it, collate information on ingredients used in the UK food and drink it promotes.

Food from Britain

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 18 November (WA 175), what did the "in kind" public relations support given to British Food Fortnight consist of; to which other organisations promoting solely British food Food from Britain contributed in kind or directly by grant aid; and how much is contributed to each organisation.

Lord Bach: Food from Britain agreed with the organiser of British Food Fortnight (BFF) that the "in kind" public relations support given to BFF would consist of FFB's communications manager promoting, where appropriate, BFF in conjunction with FFB sponsored activities supporting the quality regional food sector, and use of FFB's media database. In particular, FFB facilitated reference to the event in discussions with the media in the run up to and during BFF; in liaison with British Baker magazine, a reference to BFF in an interview on the Harrod's "Truly British" promotion; references in the Daily Telegraph "Taste of Britain" promotions; briefings with FFB's international public relations network; discussions with Defra's press office on providing information to journalists; the creation of up to date regional media lists; drafting of a press release for the launch of BFF and its distribution and promotion to UK trade and consumer media; distribution of 1,500 copies of the FFB sponsored Guides for Retailers and Caterers to locations specified by the organisers of BFF; and sourcing of photographs and recipes from regional food groups.
	Other organisations which FFB has funded to-support the quality regional food sector in the current financial year are:
	the eight English regional food groups which received, under contract with FFB, funds to deliver services in support of FFB's national programme of activity in support of the quality regional food sector. Funding ranged from £53,000 to £96,000 per group;
	the English Wine Producers Association which received £25,000 for English Wine Week. This is a celebration of English wine and is aimed at increasing awareness of English wines of buyers, consumers and tourists from the UK and overseas;
	the British Cheese Festival which received £65,000 to hold a three day festival focusing on British cheese and other quality regional food and drink;
	the Guild of Fine Food Retailers which received £30,000 to work with more than 300 delicatessens to carry out tastings to promote quality regional food and drink;
	the organisers of the Trafalgar Weekend were granted a £5,000 contribution to promote local sourcing of quality regional food and drink for the Trafalgar Weekend celebrations.

Government Buildings: Disposal

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McKenzie of Luton on 9 November (WA 79), how many government buildings in Northern Ireland are currently for sale; and how many of these will subsequently be rented by a government department.

Lord Rooker: There are no Northern Ireland Civil Service buildings at present for sale. However, the NIO currently has eight residential houses on the market for sale, which will not be leased back to government departments.

Heavy Goods Vehicles: Hours of Work

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Davies of Oldham on 26 October (WA 184–85), how many prosecutions have been initiated by (a) the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, and (b) the police, against drivers found to be in breach of drivers' hours regulations while driving in Wales.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The number of prosecutions taken by Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) against drivers in breach of drivers' hours regulations while driving in Wales for 2003–04 and 2004–05.
	
		
			  2003–04 2004–05 
			  Offences Offences 
			 Drivers Hours 156 111 
			 Tachographs and records 457 437 
			 Total 613 548 
		
	
	Information obtained for 2003 (the latest available) from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database shows that there were 307 proceedings at magistrates' courts throughout Wales for "Failing to observe limits on hours of driving and duty or rest requirements" Offence under the Transport Act 1968 s. 96 (11) (a)".

Identity Cards: Child Support Agency

Baroness Seccombe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish (a) any analysis they have made of the potential use that the Child Support Agency may make of the National Identity Register or identity cards introduced following enactment of the Identity Cards Bill; and (b) their estimate of the costs that will or may be incurred by the Child Support Agency in connection with such use.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: For the Child Support Agency, the only value is likely to be realised once ID cards become compulsory and if the CSA has free and unrestricted access to the register.
	The Child Support Agency has not yet estimated the costs of using the ID cards scheme to support the service it oversees

Identity Cards: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish (a) any analysis they have made of the potential use that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs may make of the National Identity Register or identity cards introduced following enactment of the Identity Cards Bill; and (b) their estimate of the costs that will or may be incurred by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in connection with such use.

Lord Bach: The department has not estimated the benefits or costs of the ID cards scheme. On 28 June, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary placed in the Library a paper containing the latest estimates of benefits of the identity cards scheme which shows that the benefits outweigh the costs once the scheme is fully operational. As the design of the scheme matures so will our understanding of where the scheme will be of most benefit.

Identity Cards: HM Revenue and Customs

Baroness Seccombe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish (a) any analysis they have made of the potential use that HM Revenue and Customs may make of the National Identity Register or identity cards introduced following enactment of the Identity Cards Bill; and (b) their estimate of the costs that will or may be incurred by HM Revenue and Customs in connection with such use.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: HMRC contributed to the benefits overview document that was published by the identity cards programme in June 2005. This can be found at www.identitycards.gov.uk/library/2005-06-27–Identity–Cards–Scheme–Benefits–Overview.pdf. HMRC has, in consultation with the identity cards programme, developed its current best estimate of the costs and benefits of using the ID cards scheme to enhance its services and these have been incorporated into the business case. The department is represented on the Ministerial Committee on Identity Cards that oversees the work on benefits planning and realisation.
	We cannot release the detailed estimated costs for using the ID card scheme as some elements may be acquired from the market. The estimates are therefore commercially sensitive and to release them may prejudice the procurement process and the department's ability to obtain value for money from potential suppliers.

Identity Cards: HM Treasury

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish (a) any analysis they have made of the potential use that HM Treasury may make of the National Identity Register or identity cards introduced following enactment of the Identity Cards Bill; and (b) their estimate of the costs that will or may be incurred by HM Treasury in connection with such use.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The Treasury has not made any analysis of any potential direct use it may make of the National Identity Register. The Government have set out their overall analysis of the benefits of ID cards in the benefits overview document that was published by the identity cards programme in June 2005. (www.identitycards.gov.uk/library/2005-06-27–Identity–Cards–Scheme–Benefits–Overview.pdf.) The Treasury is represented on the Ministerial Committee on Identity Cards that oversees the work on benefits planning and realisation.

Irish Language Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 30 November (WA 41) on the Irish Language Agency, why no consultation exercise was undertaken on the relocation of the agency's headquarters.

Lord Rooker: I refer the noble Lord to my Answer of 10 October 2005 (Official Report, col. WA 41).

Naval Shipbuilding Projects

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consideration will be given within the proposed maritime industrial strategy to the inclusion of French shipyards in future naval shipbuilding projects.

Lord Drayson: The defence industrial strategy (DIS) has conducted a thorough and wide-ranging review of all sectors of the UK defence industry. The essential contribution of DIS to the wider aim of ensuring that the equipment capability needs of the Armed Forces can be met, now and in the future, is in promoting a sustainable industrial base that retains in the UK the infrastructure, skills, technologies, IP and capacity needed to ensure appropriate sovereignty.
	In each sector where we judge these may be at risk we will be setting in train strategies to ensure sustainment of those key capabilities. The maritime industrial strategy (MIS) team will take forward the defence industrial strategy within the maritime sector. This will address how best to sustain those critical industrial skills and technologies we need for the future, while simultaneously delivering improved performance, quality and competitiveness.
	With regard to French shipyards, given that both we and France are embarking on major, complex carrier procurement projects, we are examining areas of mutual benefit and opportunities to deliver economies on that project. It is for industry to put forward proposals which will be judged on their merits and in light of national policies. It has been agreed with France that for co-operation to work it must deliver cost savings and must do so without delaying the UK or French programmes.

North/South Implementation Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	With reference to cross-border implementation bodies, how they define new policies and extra funding under their current policy of care and maintenance.

Lord Rooker: The North/South implementation bodies' functions are set out in the North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (NI) Order 1999. The funding of the bodies is determined by reference to those functions.

North/South Implementation Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Under the financial arrangements governing the activities of cross-border bodies, who must be party to agreement on the yearly budget for each body.

Lord Rooker: In arriving at the yearly budgets for each of the North/South implementation bodies, the parties involved are the United Kingdom Parliament, Dail Eireann, the bodies themselves, both sponsor departments and their Ministers along with both finance departments and their Ministers.

Northern Ireland Compensation Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much compensation has been paid to civilians in each county of Northern Ireland as a result of the alleged activities of the security forces; and for each county how many claims there have been since 1998.

Lord Rooker: I refer the noble Lord to my response of 15 November 2005 (Official Report, col. WA 138) when I provided statistics relating to compensation payments in South Armagh. In my Answer I provided details of claims dealt with by both the Compensation Agency and the Ministry of Defence. The figures in relation to Compensation Agency claims incorporated those claims which originated in Newry, which is regarded locally as being part of the "South Armagh area".
	In fact Newry straddles the county line between Counties Down and Armagh; hence the information which I am providing in response to this Question may appear slightly at odds with my Answer of 15 November 2005.
	The Compensation Agency has operational responsibility for administration of the statutory compensation scheme under the Terrorism Act 2000. The following table shows the number of claims, by county, which have been administered by the Compensation Agency from 1998 to present.
	
		
			 County Amount of Compensation Paid Number of Claims 
			 Antrim £4,140.50 28 
			 Armagh £2,590,758.29 6,629 
			 Down £6,559,980.86 14,315 
			 Fermanagh £1,605,412.47 3,354 
			 Londonderry £3,014.56 12 
			 Tyrone £1,773,407.35 3,475 
			 Total £12,536,714.03 27,813 
		
	
	In addition to those claims administered by the Compensation Agency (NIO) the Ministry of Defence has provided the following information:
	Compensation claims administered by Headquarters Northern Ireland (HQNI) mostly concern helicopter activity giving rise to damage to crops and buildings or the scaring of livestock. The following table shows the number of claims administered by HQNI from 1998 to present.
	
		
			 County Amount of Compensation Paid Number of Claims 
			 Antrim £515,694.61 170 
			 Armagh £4,238,111.93 2,877 
			 Down £834,230.64 238 
			 Fermanagh £349,850.80 279 
			 Londonderry £204,392.10 128 
			 Tyrone £7, 026, 916.06 426 
			 Total £13,169,196.14 4,118 
		
	
	Details of compensation payments in respect of claims administered by the Directorate for Safety and Claims at MoD were previously given in my response of 15 November 2005. As I had previously stated these claims are not recorded by county, but are for the whole of Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland: Artigarvan Primary School

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 10 November (WA 101) concerning Artigarvan Primary School, how much extra funding was requested in 2005–06; for what purpose; and on what basis.

Lord Rooker: £16,000 was requested to provide a covered sandpit, new fencing and removal of trees in the 2005–06 year and this amount was allocated. No extra funding was requested for the 2005-06 year. Funding for a new replacement school has been requested and an economic appraisal approved at an indicative cost of £2.5 million, but it is not possible to say when this will be allocated.

Northern Ireland: Department for Social Development

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In each of the past five years, what funding the Northern Ireland Department for Social Development has given to groups and organisations; to which groups and organisations such funding was given; how much the funding was in each case; and for what purpose the funding was provided.

Lord Rooker: The Department for Social Development has funded/funds a wide range of organisations via a number of policies and programmes. This includes grants provided directly by the department and through third parties on:
	Urban Development Grants;
	Neighbourhood Renewal Schemes;
	Making Belfast Work;
	Londonderry Regeneration Initiative;
	Community Regeneration and Improvement Special Programme;
	Community Economic Regeneration Scheme;
	Environmental Improvement grants;
	Laganside;
	Comprehensive Development Schemes;
	Grants to District Councils (for Travellers);
	Local Community Fund;
	Outreach Programme;
	Peace II and EU Structural Funds (Interreg IIIA and URBAN II) ;
	Social Fund; and
	Housing Grants.
	The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only by means of a special administrative exercise that would entail a disproportionate cost.

Northern Ireland: Departmental Stationery

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the stationery used by each government department in Northern Ireland is printed in one, two or three languages; and, in each case where stationery is printed in two languages, whether this complies with the Belfast agreement of 1998.

Lord Rooker: The approach taken in relation to the language or languages used on Northern Ireland departmental stationery varies but still follows the approach taken by each Northern Ireland Executive Minister during devolution.
	This approach is currently being reviewed.

Northern Ireland: Dissident Republican Movement

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will hold discussions with organisers of the British Council of Shopping Centres conference in Belfast and the Northern Ireland Festival of Racing at the Maze, concerning the dissident republican bomb threats which caused the abandonment of these two events; and whether any financial loss incurred in the incidents qualifies for compensation from the Northern Ireland Office.

Lord Rooker: The Compensation Agency has operational responsibility for administration of the statutory compensation scheme under the Criminal Damage (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977. This scheme provides compensation for malicious damage to property in Northern Ireland caused by terrorism or unlawful assemblies of three or more people; and for malicious damage to agricultural property. The prevailing legislation makes no provision for threats of damage.
	The Compensation Agency therefore has no plans to meet the two bodies mentioned.

Northern Ireland: Dissident Republican Movement

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have received any specific assurances from Sinn Fein or the Irish Republican Army concerning their willingness to co-operate with the Police Service for Northern Ireland and the courts in dealing with the dissident republican movement.

Lord Rooker: There have been no specific assurances on co-operation with the Police Service for Northern Ireland and courts in dealing with the dissident republican movement or others from Sinn Fein or the IRA. However, the Government continue to press Sinn Fein at every opportunity about its full support for and participation in policing arrangements, including joining the policing board.

Northern Ireland: Human Rights Commission and Equality Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	By what criteria they judge merit when appointing members to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and to the Equality Commission.

Lord Rooker: In the recent competitions for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, the merit of candidates for appointment was judged by assessing them against the following criteria:
	Human Rights Commission
	Commissioner applicants were assessed against four criteria. Chief commissioner applicants were assessed against these four and an additional two criteria.
	The criteria applying for both chief commissioner and commissioner posts were: corporate focus; responsibility and accountability; judgment and strategic thinking; and specialist expertise.
	The two additional criteria for chief commissioner applicants were leadership; and management in a challenging environment.
	Equality Commission
	Commissioner applicants were assessed against four criteria. Chief commissioner applicants were assessed against these four and an additional two criteria.
	The criteria applying for both chief commissioner and commissioner posts were: knowledge and expertise; corporate focus; judgment; and accountability.
	The two additional criteria for chief commissioner applicants were leadership; and strategy and vision.

Northern Ireland: Northern Bank Robbery

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the £26 million Northern Bank robbery is currently attributed to the Provisional Irish Republican Army.

Lord Rooker: The chief constable has publicly stated that in his professional opinion, and based on the intelligence to hand, responsibility for the Northern Bank robbery must be attributed to the Provisional IRA. That is still his view.
	The Government fully accept the chief constable's judgment which was further endorsed by the Independent Monitoring Commission in its report of 10 February 2005.

Northern Ireland: Office of the Police Ombudsman

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the resolution carried unanimously by the Police Federation for Northern Ireland at its 14 September Annual Conference expressing no confidence in the Office of the Police Ombudsman.

Lord Rooker: The independent Office of the Police Ombudsman is an integral part of the policing arrangements in Northern Ireland: its work helps ensure that the community has a police service which operates to the highest standards.
	The Government welcome the creation of the Joint Working Group set up between the staff associations and the Police Ombudsman's Office and encourage its use as a forum to discuss and explore matters of concern.

Northern Ireland: Police Ombudsman

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 30 June (WA 42), why the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland believes that it is inappropriate under Section 63 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 to disclose correspondence between the ombudsman and the Lord Chancellor; and
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 30 June (WA 42), whether the purpose of Section 63 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 is to protect witnesses giving evidence to the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland or to prevent the disclosure of correspondence between the ombudsman and the Lord Chancellor.

Lord Rooker: The Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 states that it is an offence under Section 63 for the ombudsman or an officer of the ombudsman to disclose any information received in respect of the ombudsman's function of investigating complaints. Consequently, in regard to the specific case raised previously by the noble Lord, the ombudsman advises that it would be unlawful to disclose information into the public domain because it would directly or indirectly impact on the individuals involved in these matters. This would include the two police officers and others linked to the investigation, not least a member of staff of the ombudsman's office. Where such information appears in correspondence, Section 63 also applies. The ombudsman may provide a summary, which protects the identity of a person from whom the information was received and, where necessary, the identity of the persons to whom the information relates. I understand that the police ombudsman wrote to the noble Lord on 18 April 2005 with a detailed explanation of the context and issues in relation to the matter as well as offering to meet with him to address any other concerns he may have. The ombudsman has again advised that she will meet the noble Lord to discuss the matter at a time and location suitable to him.

Northern Ireland: Sinn Fein and the Provisional Irish Republican Army

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the latest assessment by the security services and the International Monitoring Commission of the linkage between Sinn Fein and the Provisional Irish Republican Army.

Lord Rooker: The Government have consistently maintained that Sinn Fein and the Provisional Irish Republican Army are inextricably linked.
	The Independent Monitoring Commission stated in its report on 19 October 2005 that it is essential to be able to observe cumulative changes in behaviour from the Provisional IRA "over a more sustained period of time" but that the initial signs were encouraging.
	The 8th report of the IMC will be published early next year and it would be inappropriate to pre-empt the commission's findings.

Northern Ireland: Victims' Groups

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 10 November (WA 106) on funding for victims and ex-prisoners groups in Northern Ireland, why some ex-prisoners groups are listed as victims groups.

Lord Rooker: My Written Answer on 10 November (WA 106) gave details of funding allocated to groups, organisations and projects involved in providing support for victims, and included funding provided through the European Union Peace II Programme.
	Three ex-prisoner groups successfully applied for funding under Measure 2.4b (Integration and Reconciliation of Victims) of that programme, hence their names, along with the amounts of money involved, appeared on the list.

Pensions Commission

Lord Palmer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were the total costs of the inquiry leading to the 2nd Report of the Pensions Commission.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Pensions Commission's estimated monthly average costs between April 2003 and October 2005 have been as follows.
	
		
			  
			 Cost of Pensions Commissioners' time Nil 
			 Cost of Pensions Commission Secretariat staffing £35,000 
			 Cost of Pensions Commission non-staff costs £ 8,000 
			 Cost of Pensions Commission social research £ 10,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	(a) Figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000.
	(b) The DWP also meets the costs of general office overheads eg accommodation, IT etc. These costs are not separately identifiable from DWP running costs.
	(c) The design, publication, print and distribution costs for the 2nd Report are yet to be brought to account. We expect these to be in the range of £100,000 to £125,000.

Pensions: Reciprocal Uprating Agreements

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For British citizens living overseas and in receipt of the state pension, with which countries and territories (a) they have reciprocal agreements to allow for annual pensions uprating; (b) they do not have such agreements, but pensions are uprated annually; (c) negotiations are ongoing aimed at reaching agreement on reciprocal arrangements to allow annual uprating; and (d) no attempt is being made to reach agreement on reciprocal arrangements to uprate pensions annually.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The information requested is provided below. The Government have no plans to enter into further reciprocal agreements covering uprating state pensions and are not in negotiations with any foreign government to do so.
	The countries with which the UK has a reciprocal agreement providing for the uprating of UK state pensions:
	Barbados;
	Bermuda;
	Gibraltar;
	Isle of Man;
	Israel;
	Jamaica;
	Jersey and Guernsey;
	Mauritius;
	Philippines;
	Turkey;
	USA;
	Yugoslavia (including the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, Slovenia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia).
	The countries are those within the European Community, Switzerland and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
	Note:
	Reciprocal agreements for European Economic Area countries and Switzerland have been superseded by European Community legislation.
	* Slovenia entered the European Union from May 2004

Sugar

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What changes, in money and percentage terms, are forecast in the prices paid for cane sugar products imported into the United Kingdom in each of the next four years following the introduction of the reform to the common market organisation for sugar.

Lord Bach: The reformed EU sugar regime will establish a new reference price for imports of raw sugar applicable from 2009–10 onwards, following a transitional period. The 2009–10 reference price of euro 335.2 per tonne compares with the present intervention price of euro 523.7 per tonne, a reduction of 36 per cent. The change from an intervention price to a reference price system is part of the move to a more market based, liberalised regime where prices are fixed less rigidly. The actual price paid for cane sugar products in the reformed regime will be the subject of commercial negotiations between the cane growing country exporters and the EU importers and may result in levels higher than the reference price guide.

Sugar

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What changes, in money and percentage terms, are forecast in the prices of white sugar to consumers in the United Kingdom over the next four years following the introduction of the reform to the common market organisation for sugar.

Lord Bach: The reformed EU sugar regime will establish a new white sugar reference price applicable from 2009–10 onwards, following a transitional period. The 2009–10 reference price of euro 404.4 per tonne compares with the present white sugar intervention price of euro 631.9 per tonne, an overall reduction of 36 per cent. The change from an intervention price to a reference price system is part of the move to a more market-based, liberalised regime where prices are fixed less rigidly. No forecasts have been made of how these price cuts will translate into the cost of white sugar to consumers.

Sugar

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have commissioned an investigation into the likely increase in sugar consumption in the United Kingdom by consumers and by the food industry, due to lower prices following the introduction of the reform to the common market organisation for sugar, and the consequent effects on the health of (a) children, and (b) adults; and, if so, whether they will publish the results of the investigation.

Lord Bach: An assessment of the health impacts of sugar reform was included in the Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment of Options for Reform of the EU Sugar Regime published by Defra in June 2005.

Sugar

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In which European Union countries sugar beet will continue to be eligible to receive direct production subsidies; and for what reasons.

Lord Bach: Under the existing EU sugar regime, the growing of sugar beet is supported by a system of price guarantees passed on to the final consumer, without any direct production subsidies financed by the common agricultural policy budget. From July 2006, as agreed at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in November, growers will receive new decoupled direct CAP payments to compensate them for the cuts in guaranteed prices in the reformed regime. For a transitional period and in order to help the adjustment process the possibility exists in limited circumstances for an additional coupled aid to be paid to farmers who continue to grow sugar beet in member states where the overall reduction in sugar production is more than 50 per cent. This aid is open to all member states who meet the quota reduction thresholds, but is expected to be relevant only to countries with low sugar production efficiency.

Sugar

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What changes, in money and percentage terms, are forecast in farm gate prices for sugar beet in the United Kingdom in each of the next four years following the introduction of the reform to the common market organisation for sugar.

Lord Bach: The reformed EU sugar regime will establish a new minimum beet price applicable from 2009-10 onwards following a transitional period. The 2009-10 price of euro 26.3 per tonne will be 40 per cent. lower than today's minimum beet price of euro 43.6 per tonne, a reduction of euro 17.3 per tonne. The actual price paid for sugar beet in the reformed regime will be the subject of contractual negotiations between the growers and the beet processors and may well be higher than the legislative minimum.

Timber

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What timetable the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has in place to ensure that all timber procurement in government departments is (a) legal, and (b) sustainable.

Lord Bach: There is no timetable for ensuring that all timber procurement in government departments is (a) legal, and (b) sustainable.
	The Government's timber procurement policy has been operative since 28 July 2000 when the then Minister for the Environment, Michael Meacher, announced in a Parliamentary Answer to Colin Burgon MP that the then current voluntary guidance on environmental issues in timber procurement would become a binding commitment on all central government departments and agencies actively to seek to buy timber and timber products from sustainable and legal sources. In that Answer Mr Meacher also stated:
	"This programme does not involve banning the purchase of' timber or timber products which cannot be shown to be sustainably and legally produced. That would be both unfair and impractical. There is currently not enough timber that can be independently guaranteed to have come from sustainable and legal sources to meet all needs; albeit that different assurance schemes are growing quickly. We would also not want to penalise poorer countries and producers which have not been able to put in place such schemes. We will continue to work with such producers to ensure they have fair market-.access, and that any action is fully consistent with our international obligations. Our aim is to give confidence to those obeying their country's laws and managing their forests responsibly that they will find a welcome market in the UK, and will-not be undercut by unscrupulous and illegal competitors".
	The policy remains the same today and it is considered unrealistic to expect that one day all timber procured by government departments can be shown to be from legal and sustainable sources. Performance in attaining the policy objectives will vary from year to year depending on the nature of contracts awarded and the capacity of the market to meet demand. What is feasible though is to expect departments to invite all their suppliers to offer legal and sustainable timber and for the vast majority off timber supplied to meet those demands. The practical approach is to encourage the supply side of the market to increase capacity step by step. The Government have introduced a model contract condition requiring all suppliers to obtain timber from legal sources. Over time this should have the effect of significantly increasing the volume of legal timber supplied. Obtaining timber that can be independently verified as deriving from a sustainable source is more problematical. It is estimated that only 10 per cent. of the world's productive forests are certified and 90 per cent. of those are temperate and boreal forests. Consequently, certified timber from tropical regions is scarce and expensive. Available information indicates that the vast majority of timber imported into the UK is softwood from temperate and boreal forests and this would suggest that relatively little tropical timber is purchased by central government. The UK Government are currently unable to distinguish between the total volume of tropical timber purchased and timber purchased from other regions of the world but do reveal, in their annual sustainable development in government (SDIG) report, spend on certified timber and certified timber products.
	Currently the only target set by the Government for timber procurement is in the WSSD action plan. This target is: by November 2006, 50 per cent. of expenditure on timber by central government departments in England will be on products which can be independently verified as from sustainable and legal sources. The SDIG report suggests that this target may have been attained in the 2003-04 financial year. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will arrange for consultants to undertake a sample check of departments to indicate how accurate the SDIG reports are. When that check is complete the Government will consider whether it would be appropriate to set a new target or targets with a timetable for attainment.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 30 November (WA 54) on funding of the Ulster-Scots Agency, how much the agency requested for 2004; what the indicative budget was offered from the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure; and how much was finally paid.

Lord Rooker: The Ulster-Scots Agency submitted an initial budget bid of £2.98 million for 2004. In relation to the other matters I would refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave him on 17 November 2005 (Official Report, col. WA 173). The noble Lord will already be aware that the agency received an additional £80,000 from the sponsor departments during the year in question.